Mason Howell arrived at the par-3 6th hole at Augusta National on Monday and sent his tee shot into the cool Georgia sky.
The high school senior, who is playing in the 90th Masters because of his U.S. Amateur win at Olympic Club, watched his ball land on the green, scare the hole and skirt just past. Not bad for an 18-year-old. He hopes to conjure a little more magic once the shots count.
“Almost made a hole-in-one, so that would have been pretty sweet, but we’ll save it for the tournament,” Howell said on Monday at Augusta National after playing nine holes with Harris English and Jacob Bridgeman.
Playing at Augusta National is a tall task for any first-timer. No first-time Masters participant has won since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, and it’s an even bigger mountain for an amateur, even one as talented as Howell, to climb. The Georgia commit knows the gravity of the situation that his stirring U.S. Amateur win put him in. He knows that come Thursday, his adrenaline will be off the charts. The goal for an 18-year-old with a bright golf future at what he hopes is the first of many Masters? Enjoy it and try to stay for the weekend. The rest will be the rest.
“It’s kind of a lot to handle,” Howell said. “It’s a long week, but I’m keeping it to nine [holes] a day, focusing on myself, and then whenever Thursday comes, I know I’ll be pretty nervous but excited at the same time, so if I keep a smile on my face, I think the rest will take care of itself.
“Just putting four good rounds together. That’s kind of a good goal for me, and I think soaking it all in and putting a smile on my face.”
Adding to the nerves Howell is sure to feel on Thursday will be one of his playing partners.
The U.S. Amateur winner gets many perks. They win the Havemeyer Trophy and have their names written alongside greats like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Arnold Palmer and Bobby Jones. They also get exemptions into the U.S. Open, the Open Championship and the Masters. That Masters invite typically comes with the U.S. Am winner being grouped with the defending Masters champion.
In Howell’s case, that means he’ll be playing alongside Rory McIlroy, who completed the career Grand Slam last year after surviving a chaotic final round.
Two tee times with McIlroy will give added meaning to Howell’s Masters debut.
McIlroy was Howell’s favorite player growing up. McIlroy gave a young Howell a golf ball at the 2016 Tour Championship, and the budding star kept the memento from a player whom he idolized as he began his own golf journey.
“I went to watch and he gave me his golf ball on like the 4th hole, and I’ve kept it ever since, so it’ll be kind of a full-circle moment. He was like my favorite player growing up,” Howell told GOLF’s Subpar last year.
“Some people say, like, who do they look up to? Like Tiger and people like that. Rory was my guy because he was the best golfer for me growing up.”
Playing in this tournament, at this place, with that champion is something that countless aspiring pro golfers have dreamed of.
For Howell, that will become reality on Thursday when he’s announced on the tee after McIlroy launches his first tee shot as a Masters champion. The needle Howell has to thread is enjoying a lifelong memory, being present to experience and soak in the moment, while also focusing on his own golf so he can play well enough to spend the weekend at Augusta National.
“I’ll be super excited but at the same time I’ll be super nervous,” Howell said on Monday about playing with McIlory. “I think just controlling my emotions and sticking to my game plan and just having fun. Rory was one of my idols growing up, so it’ll be a super special moment for me. I can’t oggle at his game too much. I got to focus on myself. It’ll be fun.”
But if Monday’s practice round and near-ace are any indication, Mason Howell has already visualized how he’ll handle a moment few get to experience. After that, he just has to do what he does best and see if Augusta National rewards him.
